Rulani Mokwena anticipates a very difficult match against Moroka Swallows
By Neo Poho
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has revealed that he is anticipating a very difficult clash against Moroka Swallows in the first MTN 8 quarter-final on Saturday afternoon.
The two sides head into the encounter after finishing in the first and 8th position respectively last season in the DStv Premiership.
Ahead of the encounter Moroka Swallows' Steve Komphela and Andile Jali will face their former employers former for the first time since joining the Dube Birds during the off-season, something that Mokwena is also wary off.
"Well it's another game, a difficult one because it is a difficult team with some good players for sure, they have a potent striking force with a lot of different options, their strikers can be aggressive with Gabadinho Mhango, Tshegofatso Mabasa and Kagiso Malinga supported by Tshediso Patjie.
So it's a good team with a lot of quality, and they can do a lot of different things, a strong team with good players and we have to make sure we are well prepared for what is going to be a difficult encounter," Mokwena said.
Although Komphela knows Sundowns very well, Mokwena is equally aware that football is played on the pitch and what happens on the pitch will determine which team goes through to the next round.
"The game belongs to the players and at the end of the day, for the 90 minutes we have to do the best that we can to impose ourselves, to try to get some of the pictures out and hopefully we do that well enough to give ourselves a chance to win the game," Mokwena added.
Meanwhile, Sundowns' captain Themba Zwane has alluded that they are also anticipating a physical game.
"We are anticipating the game that will be physical, so we have to be ready for anything and plan very well for the encounter."
Kick-off at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday afternoon is at 15:00 o'clock.
Article Tags
Africa
Education
Joburg
South Africa
Greatest Africans